Melrose High School/Middle School Campus Bicycle and Pedestrian Accessibility Project: Final Report

Table of Contents Project Scope ...... 1 Participants ...... 2 Assessment Observations and Recommendations...... 3 Overall Findings ...... 3 Campus Arrival and Dismissal Patterns ...... 3 Lynn Fells Parkway ...... 3 Recommendations ...... 4 Melrose Street ...... 4 Recommendations ...... 5 Melrose Street/Lynn Fells Parkway Intersection ...... 8 Recommendations ...... 8 Ashland and Albion Streets ...... 8 Recommendations ...... 8 Tremont Street ...... 9 Recommendations ...... 9 Union Street ...... 9 Recommendations ...... 9 Bicycle Parking ...... 9 Recommendations ...... 11 Student Surveys and Focus Groups ...... 12 High School Travel Survey Results ...... 12 Analysis ...... 12 High School Parking Survey Results ...... 12 Analysis ...... 13 Middle School Travel Survey Results ...... 13 Analysis ...... 13 High School Student Focus Groups ...... 14 Recommendations ...... 15 Appendix A: Study Area Map ...... 16 Appendix B: High School Travel Survey Report ...... 17 Appendix C: High School Parking Survey Summary ...... 22 Appendix D: Middle School Travel Survey Report ...... 26 i

Appendix E: Focus Group Agenda and Notes ...... 31

including circulation around the Project Scope campus, ingress to/egress from campus, key corridors connecting The goal of the project was to identify potential campus with surrounding infrastructure projects, bicycle- and pedestrian- neighborhoods, and bicycle parking. friendly policies, and education and b. Observe behavior and interactions encouragement programs that will encourage among all modes, including more students (and staff) to ride bicycles or walk to bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, school. and transit.

The project involved a multi-step process: 5. Reporting/Recommendations a. Melrose Street Infrastructure 1. Project Kick-off Meeting: Recommendations a. Discuss objectives and process b. Draft Report/Complete Streets b. Identify key informants and data Recommendations sources c. Final Report c. Establish schedule for meetings/key events The project began with a kick-off meeting on January 18, 2017 at Melrose City Hall. Background 2. Background Research: materials reviewed included: a. Review existing city and school policies that impact bicycling • 2004 City of Melrose Master Plan b. Review existing programs • 2012 Parking in Downtown Melrose report supporting student/staff • 2012 Main Street Corridor Study transportation options and bicycle • 2013 Commuter Rail Corridor Plan safety and encouragement • 2016 Complete Streets Consultation Map c. Review existing planning efforts and documentation for opportunities, Key informant meetings were conducted as consistency, and coordination follows: d. Review available traffic data: counts, • Lynn Fells Parkway coordination call: March collisions, enforcement, parking 10, 2017 utilization, etc. • City Engineer: March 20, 2017 • Police: April 5, 2017 3. Conduct key informant interviews/meetings • Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee: a. Members of Pedestrian and Bicycle April 6, 2017 Advisory Committee b. School administrators Based on the information obtained from the kick- c. Students off meeting, background research, and key d. Parents informant meetings, WalkBoston and e. City departments: Public Works, WatsonActive selected the study area for the Police, Health, Planning and infrastructure assessment. See Appendix A for a Community Development map of the study area.

4. Infrastructure Assessment: WalkBoston and WatsonActive conducted initial a. Identify issues, gaps, and challenges fieldwork in the study area on April 19, 2017. in the existing built environment,

WalkBoston and WatsonActive observed Middle Steve Liebman, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory School/High School arrival on April 25 and 27, Committee 2017. Dismissal was not observed, as the traffic Dan Krechmer, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory and safety issues identified by the key informants Committee were focused on arrival. Additional infrastructure Liz Foulser, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory observations were also made. Committee Sgt. John Goc, Melrose Police Department The City Engineer requested a preliminary report David Watson, WatsonActive recommending a project for possible inclusion in Stacey Beuttell, WalkBoston the City’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. WalkBoston and WatsonActive delivered a report Lynn Fells Parkway Coordination of infrastructure recommendations for Melrose Nathaniel Fink, Toole Design Group Street on April 28, 2017. Richard Fries, MassBike David Watson, WatsonActive With the assistance of the MassDOT Safe Routes to School Program, online travel surveys were Focus Meetings administered for both the High School and Middle Gabrielle Watson, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory School. These surveys collected information about Committee how far away from school students live and their Liz Foulser, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory travel modes in the morning and afternoon. An Committee additional parking survey was administered only to Elena Proakis Ellis, Melrose Public Works High School students who drive themselves to Sgt. John Goc, Melrose Police Department school. The High School travel and parking surveys David Watson, WatsonActive were administered to students during class on June Stacey Beuttell, WalkBoston 6, 2017. The Middle School travel survey was made available to Middle School parents from May 24 to Infrastructure Assessment and Arrival Observations June 12, 2017. Due to low initial participation, the David Watson, WatsonActive Middle School travel survey was re-administered Stacey Beuttell, WalkBoston from June 14-30, 2017. Student Surveys and Focus Groups High School student focus groups were conducted Cyndy Taymore, Melrose Public Schools on June 13, 2017 at Melrose High School. Stephen Fogarty, Melrose Public Schools Diane Hogan, Melrose Public Schools Bryan Corrigan, Melrose High School Participants Erin Reed, MA Safe Routes to School David Watson, WatsonActive Kickoff Meeting Stacey Beuttell, WalkBoston Kara Showers, Mass in Motion Coordinator, Brendan Kearney, WalkBoston Melrose Health Department Gabrielle Watson, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Elena Proakis Ellis, Melrose Public Works Ellen Katz, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Stephen Fogarty, Melrose Public Schools

Assessment Observations and Campus Arrival and Dismissal Patterns Recommendations Students arrive to campus along both the Lynn Fells Parkway and Melrose Street. Students driving their

own cars walk across the Parkway after parking at Overall Findings The Knoll, the only student parking area. About half The pedestrian environment on and around the of the student body arrives to campus on the Melrose Middle and High School campus generally Parkway and the other half arrives from Melrose supports the needs of students walking to and Street. from school. Sidewalks are of adequate width and Lynn Fells Parkway in good condition, and can be found on every Student drop off typically happens near or between street within the study area. Most crossings are the two signalized crosswalks on both sides of the well marked. Pedestrian-actuated signals on the Parkway. Drivers form two lanes – one drop-off Lynn Fells Parkway give priority to people walking lane and one thru lane – and stop to let students and drivers generally yield to students walking out before proceeding on their way. In most cases, across the street. Minor infrastructure those dropping off stop well before or well after improvements, such as upgrading curb ramps to the crosswalks and do not block visibility of meet accessibility standards, and improved pedestrians in the crosswalk. Traffic is reabsorbed pavement markings at some crossings will further into travel lane in an orderly fashion. U-turns do ensure that the Middle School/High School campus happen from the eastbound lane to the westbound is pedestrian friendly. lane, which is illegal and needs to be discouraged. The bicycling environment on and around the campus does not adequately support bicycling to and from school. With the exception of a southbound bicycle lane on Tremont Street, there is no dedicated bicycle infrastructure connecting the campus with the surrounding neighborhoods. High-volume traffic during arrival and departure creates a challenging environment for bicycling, and the perception of danger discourages bicycling. There is a significant amount of bicycle parking on campus, but the quantity and quality of the bike parking could be improved.

Student arrival and dismissal are the busiest and People crossing Parkway mid-block during arrival most dangerous times for walkers and bicyclists on Students walking across the Parkway generally use campus. While arrival and dismissal occur relatively the crosswalks and use the pedestrian signals. smoothly, small adjustments to vehicular travel Many who were close to the crosswalk when the patterns could improve safety. signal was on WALK, would walk across the road The discussion below provides more detailed near, but not in, the crosswalk to get the WALK descriptions of current conditions and sign. Some students walked between cars to reach recommendations for infrastructure the school entrances. Several high school students improvements. who have parked at the Knoll walk through an open gateway between the two marked crosswalks 3 and walk across the street outside of the Melrose Street crosswalks. School drop off and pick up procedures designate zones for pick up and drop off on the Parkway, but Access to The Knoll parking area from the Parkway none are designated on Melrose Street. As a result, can complicate vehicular traffic flow and present student drop off is uncontrolled; it occurs on both some challenges for people walking. Drivers sides of the street, and within the short drop-off turning into the Knoll driveway use the WALK sign circle on the school-side of Melrose Street. There on the Parkway as a protected left turn. are two mid-block crosswalks across Melrose Pedestrians walking across The Knoll entry drive Street between Tremont Street and Lynn Fells when drivers are making a left into the drive are Parkway: one at Ashland Street and one at Albion hard to see. There is no crosswalk across driveway Street. Some students use these crosswalks, but to remind drivers to look for people crossing. many jump out of their car and cross when there is Ideally, the driveway should be farther from the a gap in traffic. crosswalk leading to the Middle School entrance. Many students cross Melrose Street near the Students were observed arriving by bicycle from entrance to the staff parking lot at the front of the both directions on the Parkway. Some were in the school because this is the shortest route to the roadway, others on the sidewalk. While no conflicts school’s front door. Students are routinely dropped were observed between bicyclists and pedestrians off on the non-school side of Melrose Street and on the sidewalk, if either bicycling or walking walk across unprotected to the main sidewalk increases, the potential for conflict in exists due to leading to the school main entrances. Students the constrained sidewalk width. Some bicyclists walking from the shopping plaza to the east (Whole observed riding eastbound used the signalized Foods, Dunkin Donuts) also cross unprotected at crosswalks near The Knoll entrance to cross to the this location because it is the shortest walk to the campus. school main entrances. This is a potentially Recommendations1 dangerous crossing point with no marked crossing • Paint a crosswalk across The Knoll entrance and many students walking between cars. drive

• Consider limiting left turns out of The Knoll at dismissal time • Continue to educate students on the importance of using crosswalks to walk across the Parkway • As no dedicated bicycle facilities are planned for Lynn Fells Parkway at this time, consider exploring the feasibility of constructing a bike path between the sidewalk and the staff parking lot

1 In light of the DCR Lynn Fells Parkway project, this report the Parkway. It is understood that DCR intend to add does not include recommendations for geometric changes to sharrows (shared-lane markings) to the Parkway. 4

pedestrians in the crosswalk. On the westbound side of Melrose Street, drivers allow students to walk in front of their cars after dropping off. This is one of the most congested and potentially dangerous areas near the campus for pedestrians. In addition to residential driveways along Melrose Street across from and adjacent to the campus, traffic also enters Melrose Street from the Melrose Towers development and from the exit for Rockland Trust and Whole Foods.

On-street parking rules on Melrose Street vary and Students crossing unprotected at parking lot entrance are not clear. Parallel parking is permitted at least part of the time on some portions of westbound Drop off also occurs along Melrose St just north of Melrose Street; it is unclear whether parking is the upper parking lot entrance as well as in the permitted on any portion of eastbound Melrose upper parking lot despite the signs prohibiting this Street. Signs are numerous and inconsistent, with behavior. Students can enter through the some faded, unreadable signs and some newer gymnasium doors at the back of the schools – there signs. Signage on westbound Melrose Street are two gymnasium doors – one for the Middle between Main Street and Lynn Fells Parkway School and one for High School. While parents will permits one-hour parking 8am-6:30pm daily and, most likely continue to stop along the length of on the same block, two-hour parking Monday- Melrose Street, formalizing specific zones may Friday. Signage on westbound Melrose Street provide the school with a stricter, safer arrival between Lynn Fells Parkway and Tremont Street is policy. a mix of “no parking 7am-10am except Sat/Sun/holidays”, “no parking any time”, and “no The existing drop-off loop functions relatively well stopping no standing 7am-4pm except with drivers accessing it from both the eastbound Sat/Sun/holidays”. There is little parking signage on and westbound lanes. However, it is not eastbound Melrose Street, but there is a single “no adequately sized for the amount of traffic it parking this side of street” sign across from receives. Left-turning cars queuing to access the Ashland Street. All properties on Melrose Street drop-off circle block the visibility of students using have off-street parking. the crosswalk at Albion Street. Furthermore, drivers leaving the drop-off loop may not see Students were observed bicycling in both directions pedestrians in the crosswalk due to traffic backups. on Melrose Street during arrival, entering the The drop-off loop is also used by METCO buses and campus through the lower parking lot and riding to for sports team pickup in the afternoon. the main bicycle parking area at the front of the school. Many drivers turn left onto Albion Street after dropping off, which backs up traffic in the Recommendations eastbound lane. Drivers turning left onto Albion • Install a new crosswalk, required curb ramps and detectable warning panels Street end up back at Franklin Street where they across Melrose Street on the north side of can turn right or left. Drivers are often vying for a the staff parking lot entrance. Place an in- quick left turn onto Albion Street and may not see 5

street pedestrian crossing sign in the new crosswalk during school arrival and dismissal as an added pedestrian safety measure. • Close/Block off the drop-off loop located on the school-side of Melrose Street between Ashland Street and Albion Street. Place an in-street pedestrian crossing sign in the crosswalk during school arrival and dismissal as an added pedestrian safety measure. Consider restricting left turns onto Albion Street. • If the drop-off loop must remain, consider moving the crosswalk and required curb Existing crosswalk is too close to pull-out ramps from the north side of Albion Street to the south side of Albion Street. Place an in-street pedestrian crossing sign in the crosswalk during school arrival and dismissal as an added pedestrian safety measure. o While outside the desire line of students walking to campus, this location is safer because it is more distant from the drop-off exit; is not in the path of drivers turning left onto Albion Street; and is not in the path of drivers making a right turn from Albion Street onto Melrose View of crosswalk blocked by traffic queue Street

o Evaluate sight lines of proposed • crosswalk location given Enhance the crosswalk across Melrose topographical change on Melrose Street at Ashland Street with upgraded Street pavement markings. Place an in-street pedestrian crossing sign in the crosswalk during school arrival and dismissal as an added pedestrian safety measure. Consider additional advance crosswalk signage for southeast-bound traffic given the topographical change and limited sight lines at this crosswalk

Crosswalk at Ashland does not meet current standards

• Establish formal drop off zones using signage and potentially pavement markings along the school side of Melrose Street north of the Ashland Street/Melrose Street crosswalk and south of the proposed new crosswalk at the staff parking lot entrance drive

Parking signage is numerous and inconsistent

• If parking can be prohibited at all times on both sides of Melrose Street, consider installation of standard striped bicycle lanes.on both sides of the roadway adjacent to the curb o If parking cannot be prohibited at all times, consider installation of advisory (dashed) bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway adjacent to the curb o Consider extending the selected Students crossing in traffic where there is no crosswalk treatment east to Main Street • Prohibit on-street parking at all times on and/or west of Tremont Street to both sides of Melrose Street between Lynn the railroad underpass, though Fells Parkway and Tremont Street and either extension will require replace signage accordingly additional intersection treatments

on the northeast corner of the intersection. While Whole Foods customers can enter and exit on Main Street, this is the only entrance for Rockland Trust.

Centerline could be shifted to fit bicycle lanes

• Use green pavement coloration and signage where bicycle facilities coincide with Melrose/Parkway intersection during arrival designated drop-off zones o Designated student drop-off zones Recommendations discussed in the pedestrian • Consider installing curb bump-outs on Lynn improvements will necessarily Fells Parkway on the west side of the coincide with any bicycle facility Melrose Street intersection. The adjacent to the curb construction of curb bump-outs must o Green coloration and signage may consider the potential for bike lanes along be used to indicate a mixing zone the Parkway. (At this time, sharrows are the where particular caution is only bike facilities planned for this section warranted of the Lynn Fells Parkway.)

Melrose Street/Lynn Fells Parkway Intersection Ashland and Albion Streets The Melrose Street/Lynn Fells Parkway intersection Ashland and Albion Streets are two residential is un-signalized with traffic flowing freely on the streets that students use to walk and bike to Parkway and both Melrose Street approaches school. Both have sidewalks on both sides and controlled with stop signs. Two crossing guards generally low volumes of slow-moving traffic. assist students walking to school during arrival and There are crosswalks at the southern end of each dismissal times. There are ladder crosswalks across of these streets across Melrose Street. Two-hour three of the four approaches; there is no crosswalk parking is allowed along these streets. Similar to on Lynn Fells Parkway east of the intersection. The Tremont Street, parking rules are not always crosswalk across Lynn Fells Parkway is relatively enforced. long, connecting to two apex curb ramps on either side of the road. Curb bump-outs on either side of Recommendations the Parkway would decrease the walking distance. • Preserve the residential, shared use feel of these two streets through speed and Dunkin Donuts customers exit via a curb cut onto parking enforcement the Parkway just east of the intersection o Consider applying neighborhood (effectively in the intersection). There is also a curb slow streets/traffic calming cut entrance to Whole Foods and Rockland Trust measures to emphasize shared use

and low speed, such as signage, road separated bike lanes on both sides of markings, and intersection traffic Tremont Street diverters • Consider limiting left turns onto Ashland Union Street and Albion Streets during arrival and Union Street is a dead-end street that intersects dismissal times to limit vehicle volumes and with Tremont Street and runs along the back of the promote a safer walking environment for school and rear parking lot. There is no public students vehicular access to the campus from Union, but drivers do use Union Street as a drop-off point. Tremont Street Drivers use private driveways to turn around after Tremont Street forms the western boundary to the dropping off students. Union Street provides Middle School/High School campus and is home to emergency vehicular access to the back of the the sports fields. Most students do not access schools and the athletic fields. It is possible for campus from Tremont Street given the fence that cyclists to ride on Union Street and ride around the runs along the edge of the fields. Tremont Street is back of the school to reach the bike racks in the not a particularly walker-friendly corridor between front of the school. Melrose Street and Emerson Street. The land uses on the west side of the street include several auto Recommendations body shops, with wide driveways and parking lots • Work with Melrose Police to discourage the spilling into the sidewalk zones. The east side of the use of Union Street as a drop-off zone street has a sidewalk of adequate width, but it can • Consider a sidewalk connection between feel cramped given the chain link fence that defines Union Street and the rear parking lot to give the edge of the fields and the utility poles on the walkers a designated path to reach the roadside. Parallel parking spaces are available on school. the east side of the street between the Lynn Fells Parkway and the northern end of the football field. The street is signed for one-hour parking, but is Bicycle Parking used primarily by the auto body shops throughout The main bicycle parking area for both schools is the day, and during athletic events. located in the courtyard between the schools, with approximately 24 spaces in rectangular-hanging Tremont Street is the only street adjacent to the racks and 20 spaces in wave racks. This assumes campus with existing bicycle facilities: a striped every space is usable and every bicycle parked bike lane southbound, and sharrows (shared-lane properly, so actual capacity is probably lower. Two markings) northbound. of the rectangular racks are in the courtyard. One rectangular rack and two wave racks are located Recommendations under the adjacent portico. Covered bicycle • Work with business owners to manage car parking encourages riding even in inclement storage and driveways to make the west weather. These racks can be accessed from the side of Tremont Street more walking and front of the buildings, or by riding through the biking friendly lower parking lot from Melrose Street, or from • Study parking utilization (and who is using it) on Tremont Street to determine whether Union Street through the driveway next to the removing parking on the east side is feasible athletic fields. • If parking can be removed, the additional Rectangular-hanging racks adequately support width may allow buffered or even bicycles to prevent them from falling over; wave racks do not adequately support the bicycles and 9 make it more likely that bicycles will be damaged empty during arrival. It is likely these racks are or parked improperly. seldom used because their location is more isolated during the day and at greater risk for The underpass to the courtyard from Melrose vandalism or theft. However, the racks are well- Street is not bicycle-accessible (nor ADA- located for use during events in the gym. These accessible), so bicyclists must ride all the way racks are accessible only through the upper parking around the school to get to the main (and most lot. secure) bike parking area.

Wave racks next to the gym Rectangular-hanging racks in courtyard

The only other bicycle rack observed on campus was a set of three Inverted-U racks located at the athletic field near the Union Street gate. This is a good rack design, and useful for visitors to the athletic field, but probably too isolated for everyday use by students. This racks is accessible from Union Street or from the front of the Middle School via the driveway running toward the Union Street gate.

Wave and rectangular-hanging racks under portico

There are two wave racks, holding up to 20 bicycles, located near the gym at the rear of the Middle School. Again, wave racks are considered a poor design. These racks were observed to be 10

• Increase the number of bicycle racks available in the courtyard o Place as many racks as possible under existing covered spaces, or consider installing shelters over racks in the courtyard • Evaluate feasibility of constructing an ADA- compliant ramp from sidewalk level through the underpass leading to the courtyard between the schools o Creating a bicycle-friendly connection to the courtyard from Melrose Street would make it Inverted-U racks at field off Union Street unnecessary for students bicycling to and from Melrose Street to ride

around the school to get to the main Three swerve racks were observed inside the fence bike parking area at The Knoll, but were not in use at the time. These racks are also somewhat isolated during the day and at greater risk for vandalism or theft. These racks may be used by non-student visitors to The Knoll.

Underpass to courtyard is not bike-accessible

• Consider creating a bicycle and pedestrian connection from Union Street into the upper parking lot by the gym entrances to provide more direct access to the bike racks and gym entrances without interacting with the Melrose Street traffic Swerve racks at The Knoll • Consider creating a formal bicycle connection (with signage and road markings) from the end of Union, through Recommendations the driveway along the athletic fields to the • Replace the wave racks under the portico front of the schools where the main bike and next to the gym with better designs parking is located that hold more bikes and provide better support

Student Surveys and Focus Groups The full results of the High School travel survey are

included as Appendix B. High School Travel Survey Results High School Parking Survey Results 324 High School students responded to the travel survey, a response rate of 34% schoolwide. Note 106 High School students responded to the parking that graduating seniors were not available to survey. Students were asked to take the survey participate in the survey due to scheduling issues, only if they drive to school. The survey asked so the survey results reflect responses of grades 9, students how frequently they drive to school, why 10, and 11 only. Response rate by grade varied: they drive to school, where they usually park, how 55% (9), 56% (10), and 24% (11). difficult it is to find a legal parking space, whether

they have ever received a parking ticket at school, The survey results indicate that many High School and any other comments they wanted to share students live within potential walking or bicycling about parking. distance of the school: 93% of respondents live within two miles, and 43% live within one mile. Driving Frequency: 65% reported driving to school 29% of trips to or from school are walking or every day, 21% most days, and 14% occasionally. bicycling. 65% of trips to or from school are by automobiles. Interestingly, many more students Reasons for Driving: 50% reported that they drove walk in the afternoon (40%) than in the morning to school because they need to drive to after- (17%), and there is a decrease in afternoon school sports or activities, 41% because it is too far automobile trips, indicating that as many as 31% of to walk or bike, 38% just like to drive, 37% need to students who are driven to school are leaving on drive to after-school job, and 37% do not like to foot or by other means. bike or walk. Note that respondents could choose

all the reasons that apply to them or list additional Compared with similar Massachusetts schools, the reasons. rates of biking and walking at Melrose High School are average for students living a half-mile or less Parking Location: 93 respondents (88%) reported from the school, significantly lower than average parking at The Knoll. A total of eight respondents for students living between a half-mile and a mile reported parking on Ashland Street, Albion Street, from the school, and much higher than average for Tremont Street, Melrose Streets, or at the students living more than a mile from the school. Middlesex Fells.

Analysis Parking Difficulty: 51% of respondents reported it The survey results suggest that there is significant was hard or very hard to find a legal parking space, potential to increase the number of High School 24% neither hard nor easy, and 26% easy or very students walking or biking to school, particularly easy. among students living up to a mile from school. Walking rates more than double in the afternoon; Parking Violations: 32% of respondents reported the survey did not explore the reasons for this, but receiving a parking ticket at school. one can speculate that likely factors include parents being unavailable to pick up students Summary of Notable Comments: during working hours, the lack of time pressure that is present in the morning, and students • Create more parking spaces at The Knoll participating in after-school jobs or activities close • Allow on-street parking on surrounding to the school. streets 12

• Allow parking in staff lots • Assign parking passes and spaces at Middle School Travel Survey Results beginning of year • Students should pay for parking 169 Middle School parents responded to the travel • Switch the student and staff parking lots survey, a response rate of 21% schoolwide. • Seniors should have priority for parking Response rate by grade varied: 27% (6), 20% (7), • Parking is difficult if you get to school after and 16% (8). 7:30am • Repaint the lines at The Knoll so people The survey results indicate that many Middle park in actual spaces School students live within potential walking or • Parking is easy after seniors leave (at the bicycling distance of the school: 97% of end of the school year) respondents live within two miles, and 60% live • Difficult to exit The Knoll at the end of the within one mile. 62% of trips to or from school are day, maybe have officer direct traffic walking or bicycling. 38% of trips to or from school • Dog park users take parking spaces before are by automobiles. Interestingly, many more students arrive students walk in the afternoon (74%) than in the morning (51%), and there is a decrease in Analysis afternoon automobile trips, indicating that as many The parking survey results regarding overall driving as 46% of students who are driven to school are frequency are consistent with the travel survey leaving on foot or by other means. Overall, the results at 65%. 87% of respondents reported that rates of biking and walking at Melrose Middle they drive to school because they need to drive to School are much higher than the average after-school sports, activities, or jobs; this could be Massachusetts middle school. explored further to determine whether there is potential to shift some of those trips to walking, Analysis biking, shuttle service, or public transportation. The survey results suggest that there is some While a large percentage of students reported that potential to increase the number of Middle School they live too far away to walk or bike, 93% of students walking or biking to school, though not as students live within two miles of the school; there much as for the High School students. Walking may be potential to shift some of these trips to rates increase by 50% in the afternoon; the survey walking or biking. Similarly, students who choose did not explore the reasons for this, but one can driving as a personal preference might be speculate that likely factors include parents being convinced to shift their preferences by education unavailable to pick up students during working or incentives. The student comments provided hours, the lack of time pressure that is present in some interesting and actionable ideas, including: the morning, and students participating in after- parking permits and assigned spaces, paying for school activities close to the school. While there parking, re-considering which lots staff and are fewer overall automobile trips for Middle students can use, and re-striping the legal parking School students than for High School students, the spaces in The Knoll. percentage of students who arrive by car in the morning and walk in the afternoon is higher for the The full results of the High School parking survey Middle School than for the High School. are included as Appendix C. The full results of the Middle School travel survey are included as Appendix D.

High School Student Focus Groups • Dangerous crossings, including Franklin at Ashland, Melrose at Ashland, and Lynn Fells WalkBoston and WatsonActive conducted 30- Parkway/Tremont minute focus discussions with three groups of High • Drivers do not always yield to pedestrians School students. The focus groups began with a at crosswalks brief description of the overall project and the • Westbound queue to enter The Knoll need for student input from the surveys and focus completely blocks westbound traffic groups. A quick travel mode survey was done by a show of hands to see how the students got to Participants noted that student do not always use school. crosswalks, particularly on Lynn Fells Parkway and Melrose Street. Reasons include: parents dropping Focus Group Travel Modes students off all along both streets; urgency to get Travel Mode Group Group 2: Group 3: car out of The Knoll quickly before traffic backs up; 1: 9th 10/11 10/11 poorly positioned or missing crosswalks at grade grades grades preferred access points; long wait times at walk Driven by 30% 35% 41% signals; and relative safety of crossing when traffic parent is back up and moving slowly. Driven by 10% 30% 44% self/other Participants mentioned parent and staff driving student behaviors, including: speeding; failure to yield to Carpool 10% 0% 7% pedestrians; drop-offs all along Lynn Fells Parkway School bus 10% 0% 4% and Melrose Street; u-turns on Melrose Street; Public transit 10% 0% 0% entering upper staff lot for drop-offs. Walk 30% 35% 0% Bike 0% 0% 4% Although most students live within reasonable walking or biking distance to campus, participants The discussion focused on identifying perceived cited various reasons for not walking or biking, dangerous streets and intersections, suggesting including: weather; lack of motivation/time; busy ways to improve safety or convenience getting to intersections; desire to drive/ease of driving; and from school, crosswalk usage, reasons why distance; insufficient bike racks especially covered students do not walk or bike to school, and drop- bike parking; and needing to drive to after-school off locations. Student comments closely tracked activities, sports, and jobs. the travel and parking survey results, and reinforced many of the observations made during Participants who drive to school identified lack of the assessment parking and traffic congestion as major issues, but did not indicate that these issues discouraged them Participants identified a number of issues at from driving. Specific concerns are insufficient intersections/streets near the campus, including: parking spaces at The Knoll, and difficulty exiting • Traffic backups and ineffective traffic The Knoll after school due to traffic on Lynn Fells control at Lynn Fells Parkway intersections, Parkway. especially at Melrose Street Participants made suggestions to address some of • Snow/ice removal issues, especially Lynn the identified issues: Fells Parkway (piled snow blocks access to • the sidewalks) and the underpass near the Lynn Fells Parkway: extend hours for Melrose/Tremont intersection (falling ice) crossing guards and allow them to direct traffic

• Melrose Street: need crosswalk by entrance to lower parking lot • More bike racks, and more covered bike parking • Shuttle service to Pine Banks Park for afternoon activities • Create incentive program to motivate people to walk or bike

Recommendations

• Investigate whether to extend hours for

crossing guards on Lynn Fells Parkway • Consider feasibility and need to have crossing guards (or police) direct traffic at the Parkway/Melrose intersection • Consider adding more bike racks and especially more covered bike parking, as detailed in Bicycle Parking section above. • Explore feasibility of providing afternoon shuttle service for Middle and High School

students to Pine Banks Park and/or other

common destinations for organized after- school activities • Consider signalizing the exit from The Knoll

to better manage afternoon traffic • Consider outreach aimed at parents to emphasize safety messages and preferred

traffic patterns for drop-off and pick-up • Consider issuing parking permits to students and assigning parking spaces to

better manage limited parking resources (would require re-striping the legal parking spaces in The Knoll)

• Consider having students (and staff) pay for parking permits, which may encourage more people to walk or bike to school

• Study parking lot utilization by staff and students to determine whether existing lots could be used more efficiently The focus group agenda and discussion notes are included as Appendix E.

Appendix A: Study Area Map

Appendix B: High School Travel Survey Report (report starts on next page)

Appendix C: High School Parking Survey Summary

If you have any other comments about parking at MHS, enter them here:49 responses knoll needs more spots and u should be able to park on streets surroundin the school (there shouldnt be no parking signs) I get here early so I get a spot but sometimes even getting here 5 minutes late can make me lose a spot and the lot is full Let me park on the street or stop ticking me for parking illegally because there are no more spots LET US PARK IN TEACHER LOTS Students should be able to park in teachers parking lot with a sign They should not issue parking tickets at the knoll if there is nowhere else to park... if the lot is full, students do not have extra time to search for parking on side streets or risk getting towed at the Whole Foods Market parking lot. Give parking passes at beginning of year to those who go and ask for one and assign a space so there is no trouble finding spots and no arguments about parking Get more student parking I am a independent person. And I don't like cars killing my clean soil act. Because I was marked to plant a tree for a man. And he will sell his horse to me. allow students to park everywhere they'll move eventually If you get to the knoll after 735 before seniors leave at the end of the year you will have to park illegally we need more spots ALLOW STUDENTS TO PARK IN THE BACK PARKING LOT GEEEZZZ Have students pay for spots....more parking spaces Give us more parking Pave the spots Seniors should have superiority for spots next year I think there should be a better parking situation for students Parking sucks We should be able to park on side streets as students There is in no way enough parking spots for students to park in the morning. Spots are also taken up by people at the dog park. We need to somehow create more parking space for next year Switch teachers parking lot and students, too many cars on fells It is easy to find a parking spot now that the seniors have left, but there were no spots when they were here There needs to be more parking and seniors should have priority on the better spots Yuh 24

Get rid of the rocks in the knoll. They smash my bumper and everyone else's. They're wack. Gots to go. get to school around 7:00-7:20 Parking may be easier if the lines in the lot were visible so drivers actually parked in a spot making more spots available. Also give children assigned spot numbers or parking passes like they used to. They spaces are really unsafe for small cars and there isn't enough space Parking is terrible it is fine right now because the seniors are gone, but the start of next year the parking is going to be extremly hard and there's nothing we can do about it but risk getting a ticket. There should be a better traffic system for getting out of the knoll at the end of the day because it is very difficult to leave due to Lynn fells traffic. Maybe having Officer Applegate there directing traffic could help make everything flow better. Loose We need closer parking The dog park is very annoying because people go earlier in the morning and fill the spots for about thirty minutes which blocks off parking for students. There is never anywhere to park, there is a huge traffic jam everday If you come early enough parking is not an issue We need more parking! I got a ticket in the knoll, the student parking lot! It wasn't technically a spot but it also wasn't explicitly not a spot! Stop telling people to come earlier to get a parking spot. No matter how early one person shows up, there is too many students and not enough parking spots. Its really a pain to get out of the Knoll with all these parents picking up their kids. And its hard to go pick up your siblings after school. we need more parking than the knoll too many cars between new driving sophmores combined with the juniors and seniors next year Noiioo Pot holes need t be fixed am lines drawn to distinguish spots Assign spots please none only hard to park before senior internships when showing up right before school starts i think people should have specific spots because for the seniors who are having a late start schedule next year, they are going to struggle finding legal spots at the knoll. un heard of usually not enough spots when seniors are around

Appendix D: Middle School Travel Survey Report (report starts on next page)

Appendix E: Focus Group Agenda and Notes

Melrose High School Focus Group Agenda – 9th grade class

Be sure to take notes!

Intro (5 minutes) 1. Introduce yourself

2. Quick explanation of the overall project • Project Goal: Identify potential infrastructure projects, bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly policies, and education and encouragement programs that will encourage more students (and staff) to ride bicycles or walk to school. • Process: Look at the sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths, bike lanes, traffic signals near campus to see if they support safe biking and walking for students; talk to you about what you think the issues are – survey and focus groups; make recommendations to the city on what to fix and how to fix it

3. Emphasize need for student input: travel and parking surveys, and focus groups

4. Raise-of-hands for travel mode: • Driven by parent - 3 • Drive yourself – 1 (gets a ride with her sister who is upperclassman) • Carpool - 1 • School bus - 1 • Transit (MBTA bus, subway, commuter rail) - 1 • Walk – 2.5 (2 said they walk, 1 said he does it sometimes) • Bike – 0 • Other

Discussion (20 minutes) Emphasize we want to hear student ideas even if we don’t ask the right questions!

1. Thinking about your trips to and from school, are there are particular streets or intersections that seem dangerous? a. Lynn Fells intersections near the school - one has crossing guards. - fire station near bridge – icicles under the bridge (Melrose/Tremont) during winter are dangerous - snow can be a problem – if not cleared. Roads can be icy. Mt Vernon – west Wyoming (hilly streets). - Near Horace mann elementary school, there is a blind curve

2. Is there anything you think could be improved about the nearby streets, intersections, or sidewalks to improve safety or convenience getting to and from school? a. Lynn fells – crossing guard. Sometimes people walk in front of cars “since they can” because they know people will stop and cars aren’t really moving – Crossing guards aren’t there long enough. 630-8am, 2- 330pm.. Don’t direct traffic – just worry about people crossing the street. Might make sense for them to do more to make it safer for everybody since it can be dangerous when people slam on their brakes.

3. Is there anything you think could be improved on-campus to improve safety or convenience getting to and from school?

4. Do you think the crosswalks on the Fellsway in front of the school and on Melrose Street in back of the school are in the right place? Are there enough of them? Do drivers stop for you when you are waiting to cross? a. They are in OK places, but some kids are crossing wherever they want. Running to their cars to get out before traffic gets backed up trying to get out of lot b. Could use a crosswalk by the entrance to the parking lot – ( Melrose Street lower teacher lot )

5. For those of you biking to school, what do you think would make the biking experience safer or more enjoyable? a. None of them did

6. For those of you who do not currently walk or bike to school, what would have to change for you to consider walking or biking? a. I live only 5 min away and walk, it probably would take me longer to bike than walk since I’d have to lock up my bike. b. Weather – c. I wake up too late – d. I’m a slow eater, enjoy breakfast in the morning. e. Too many busy intersections from my part of town to get over here, so not sure what could be done. f. “My mom has something against me walking“ → asked follow up on this, and couldn’t seem to get at why (do you go through busy intersections or cross busy streets? Didn’t think so).

7. For those of you who are dropped off at school, where do you get dropped off? Do you always use a crosswalk when crossing the street? Why not? a. In the back by the gym and the turnaround b. At whole foods c. Between the middle school and high school on lynn fells d. Jump out before sister parks in the knoll

Crosswalks - Not always, depends where on street get dropped off. Can take too long – there is a button you can push though. (Does it change immediately?)

8. For those of you who have to drive to school, what would make your trip to or from school better? a. n/a. all 9th graders.

Other areas in town we talked about: Howard street doesn’t really have any crosswalks along the way until the Horace Mann. That’s a problem, since we all just cross part of the way down the street in the middle.

Green Street also doesn’t have crosswalks for long stretches. Same thing. People cross wherever.

Main Street down toward where sports / activities are (Pine Banks) - wide and fast travel makes it difficult to cross

On way to the YMCA on main street another bad place I notice is by the Roosevelt. Multiple cars stacked up. The tunnel only allows 1 car through at a time.

Melrose High School Biking and Walking to School Focus Group June 13, 2017

Facilitator – Stacey Beuttell

25 to 30 students sophomores and juniors

30% drive themselves 35% walk 35% dropped off by parents no cyclists

When asked why no one bikes to school, one student stated that he was afraid his bike would be stolen. Another said she saw a cyclist get hit by a car at a nearby intersection where the bike ended up under the car (cyclist ok). She thought it would be too scary to ride.

1+2 - Any particular streets or intersections that seem dangerous? Any suggested improvements?

• Most said nothing seems dangerous • One student mentioned visibility issues on the Fellsway – blind curve; both for walkers and drivers • Union Street – students park there; parents drop off and turn around in private driveways; student lives on Union Street • Winter – snow removal is a problem on Fellsway; sidewalks are not clear and mounds of snow not removed to allow students to get out on the sidewalk side

3 - On campus safety issues?

• Teachers/staff drive quickly in on campus parking lot and through parking lanes • No other concerns

4 - Crosswalks on Fellsway – do cars stop, do you use them, are they in the right place?

• Drivers do not always yield • Students do not always use crosswalks – cross mid-block when traffic is stopped or there is a gap in traffic

5 – No biking

6 – Why don’t you walk or bike?

• Have a car • Too far • Easier to drive or be driven • Have sports or work after school

7 – Where do you get dropped off? Always use the crosswalk? • Melrose Street (5)

o Several students mentioned getting dropped off on the opposite side of the street and walking in front of cars to cross – not in the crosswalk o Melrose Street crosswalk is too far from doors that are open in the morning – would have to walk away from door to use crosswalk and then walk back • Fellsway (4) o Don’t always use crosswalk – traffic stopped or gap in traffic

8 – Driving to school? What are the issues?

• Lots of traffic during dismissal – leaving the Knoll parking area is awful; have to run from class to get out before traffic gets really bad. Students get held up by crossing guards at the Melrose St/Fellsway intersection (near Whole Foods) • Parking shortage when juniors start getting their licenses

Overall:

Students did not see walking and biking safety as an issue at Melrose High. No one felt particularly unsafe crossing streets. Drivers complained about some traffic and the need for more parking, but only when prompted.

Melrose High School Focus Group Notes (D. Watson group)

Mostly juniors, a few sophomores

Travel mode: Driven by parent 11 Drive yourself 12 Carpool 2 School bus 1 Transit 0 Walk 0 Bike 1 Other 0

Traffic on Fellsway @ Melrose St • Backs up in both directions • Dangerous, even with crossing guards

Parking problems at The Knoll: • Traffic on Fellsway doesn’t let you merge in when leaving • Not enough parking spaces (better when the seniors leave) • Dog park takes up too many spaces • Need more spaces

Parents drop students off EVERYWHERE

Parents are the biggest safety problem

Students don’t use crosswalks on Fellsway • Inconvenient (from where parents drop them off) • Safe to cross anywhere when lights are red because no traffic is moving

Melrose Street: • Parents stop in the middle of the road • Parents make u-turns • Kids cross everywhere • Parents enter upper lot to drop off even though prohibited

Ashland/Franklin intersection: dangerous crossing

Ashland @ Melrose: dangerous crossing

Fellsway/Tremont: • Dangerous • Cars block intersection, don’t let people cross

Solar glare is a problem

Cars heading westbound on Fellsway waiting to turn left into The Knoll completely block westbound traffic

Bike parking: • Location is OK • There is not always enough bike parking available • Not enough covered bike parking

What would have to change to get you walking or biking to school? • Weather (might walk when it’s nice) • Distance • Motivation • Time (in a hurry) • Need to get to after-school activities • If school provided bus/shuttle to Pine Banks Park in the afternoon, more people could walk to school in the morning • Pay us (incentive program?)

People want to drive – need to solve that problem

We should focus our efforts on elementary students, they live closer to their schools